There’s no doubt that Italy is one of the most popular places in the world for romantic getaways, whether it’s for an annual vacation, a honeymoon, or just a fun couples’ weekend away.
We adore traveling in Italy together, and firmly believe that dreamy, romantic Italy is one of the best destinations on the planet for couples!
If you’re planning a trip to Italy with your beloved, here are the most romantic places in Italy to consider visiting, from the iconic to the lesser-known.
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Romantic Cities in Italy to Visit
Venice
It’s hard to imagine a more romantic city on the planet than Venice, with its endless canals, narrow alleys, and overwhelming beauty.
The key to experiencing Venice as one of the most romantic places in Italy is simple: grab the hand of your partner and head away from the crowds.
Foggy, early mornings, and late nights are some of the loveliest times to wander through the beautiful streets of Venice, especially for couples–but even during the day, you can find quiet parts of the city.
While visiting Venice, be sure to marvel at the Grand Canal, seek out romantic views at the Scala Contarini del Bovolo, track down Venice’s leaning towers, and enjoy a splash of color on the outlying island of Burano.
And, of course, no romantic getaway in Venice would be complete without a gondola ride!
Verona
It’s no surprise that the city of Romeo & Juliet is one of the most romantic cities in Italy!
But, even without the association with one of literature’s best-known tragedies, Verona is a positively beautiful place for a getaway with your partner.
Set on the Adige River, Verona is positively striking to admire from every angle, from its Roman-era arena in the town center to the incredible views from the grounds of Castel San Pietro.
When exploring the best things to do in Verona, be sure to make your way to Piazza Bra and Piazza delle Erbe during your trip, to climb the Torre dei Lamberti, and to stop by Juliet’s House for a quick photo op.
Florence
As the capital of Tuscany, Florence is nothing if not endlessly romantic!
Without a doubt, it is one of the best destinations in Italy for couples.
Whether you’re marveling at the incredible cupola of Florence’s Duomo, visiting the statue of David, admiring the skyline of the city from the Piazzale Michelangelo or San Miniato al Monte, wandering through the Boboli Gardens, or eating your third gelato of the day, there’s plenty of romance to be found in Florence.
Be sure to leave plenty of time for wandering during your trip, too–Florence’s cobblestone streets are perfect for getting lost.
Plus, of course, there’s what lies outside of Florence: with the Tuscan countryside right on your doorstep, there are countless incredible day trip opportunities from the city as well.
Rome
The Eternal City is one of our absolute favorite cities on the planet, and there is no shortage of romantic places to visit there.
Strolling past the Colosseum at dawn, tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain together, having a late-night dinner on a small terrace in Trastevere, enjoying a bit of peace and quiet in the Orange Garden, and marveling at the artistic masterpieces in the Borghese Gallery all belong on any couple’s Rome bucket list.
To avoid the crowds, seek out lesser-known corners of the city or just get up early!
Some of our favorite memories in Rome are from the quiet hours of the early morning when the city is just waking up.
Romantic Places in Italy on the Coast
Capri
Small, lovely Capri is the quintessential romantic Italian destination and has had visitors flocking to it for thousands of years to enjoy its remarkable beauty.
Whether you visit on a day trip from the Amalfi Coast or decide to spend a few nights exploring the island top-to-bottom, be sure not to miss the views from the Gardens of Augustus, the Ville San Michele, or Monte Solaro during your stay!
You’ll also want to be sure to take a boat tour around Capri.
A boat tour will take you right through the Faraglioni formations, and legend says that couples who kiss while passing under the rock will stay together forever.
Cinque Terre
The charming villages of Cinque Terre are among the most popular seaside destinations in Italy, and for a very good reason!
Their beautiful architecture, remarkable location, and proximity to each other make them the ultimate Italian seaside escape.
It’s hard to say which village is most romantic–in fact, everyone seems to walk away with a different opinion–but the beach of Monterosso al Mare, the sunset views of Manarola and Riomaggiore, and the views from the hiking trails that show off Vernazza from above all rank on our personal list of the most romantic parts of Cinque Terre.
Portofino
Tucked into a quiet corner of Italy’s Ligurian coastline, Portofino is known for its beauty, its colorful architecture, and its ritzy vibes.
Once a fishing village, the Portofino of today is known more for yachts than fishing boats, but that doesn’t detract from its almost otherworldly beauty, nor its status as one of the most romantic places in Italy.
During your romantic Italian getaway for two in Portofino, you can’t miss admiring views of the picture-perfect harbor from Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta, or the hike up to the wildly romantic Castello Brown.
During the climb, you’ll find plenty of incredible views of the coastline to enjoy hand-in-hand.
Taormina
While we adore Sicily and firmly believe that any place can be romantic with the right experience and attitude, most of the island’s touristic spots aren’t classically romantic destinations–but Taormina sure is.
This small city boasts some of the best views of the Ionian Sea, all overlooked by dramatic Mount Etna.
Whether you’re at the city’s Greek Theatre, strolling through the gardens of Villa Comunale, or at the Piazza IX Aprile, the views are magnificent.
Want to hit the water while you’re there, too?
Hop in Taormina’s cable car and make your way to romantic Isola Bella, a tiny island situated just off the coast, for some great swimming.
The Amalfi Coast
As one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in Italy, the Amalfi Coast is dripping with romance and beauty from every angle, from groves of lemon trees to secret beaches to colorful towns perched improbably on cliffsides.
The natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast is truly overwhelming, and that alone is enough of a reason to consider the Amalfi Coast one of the most romantic places in Italy.
That being said, the amazing seafood, huge number of things to do, and idyllic hotels definitely add to the ambiance!
Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi are among the most popular villages on the Amalfi Coast, but to up the romance, consider adding on visits to lesser-trafficked villages like Praiano and Cetara, as well as nearby islands like Capri and Ischia.
Sardinia
When considering the best destinations in Italy for couples, the island of Sardinia often seems to be overlooked, especially for couples hailing from outside of Europe.
It shouldn’t be, though: this remarkable island has all the makings of one of Italy’s most romantic places to visit.
With brilliantly blue water, seemingly endless beaches, interesting ruins dating back thousands of years, and a wide variety of cities and villages to choose from as your base, Sardinia makes for a fantastic romantic vacation in Italy.
Love to hit the water?
Consider renting a sailboat in Sardinia (with or without a captain, depending on your skill) and enjoying a romantic escape for two while admiring the island from its best angle–that is, from the water.
Puglia
Located on the “heel of the boot”, so to speak, the Puglia region of Italy is known for its lovely beaches, whitewashed villages, and delicious food (classic food in Puglia includes seafood and orecchiette pasta, among many others).
While what is arguably its most famous village and one of the best places to visit in Puglia, Alberobello, home of the trulli, is not on the coast at all, Puglia is a fantastic beach destination in Italy.
Villages like Polignano al Mare, Otranto, and Monopoli make for fantastic coastal romantic getaways in Italy, with a great mix of excellent food, beautiful architecture, and gorgeous places to swim.
From there, you can also access plenty of great day trip destinations during a romantic Puglia road trip.
Other Places to Visit for Romance in Italy
The Tuscan Countryside
From small villages like San Gimignano to small cities like Lucca, from the vineyards of Chianti to the hot springs of Saturnia, the beauty of the Tuscan countryside is as diverse as it is incredible–and that’s not even mentioning the food!
A romantic road trip through Tuscany is a phenomenal way to enjoy the region and will allow you to visit a wide variety of the best Tuscan destinations.
Want to completely relax and get away from it all?
Consider checking into an agriturismo or even renting a whole farmhouse with your beloved, where you can enjoy a peaceful slice of the countryside that is all your own.
The Dolomites
The dramatic peaks of Italy’s Dolomites are absolute magic: from their craggy, snow-capped peaks to the wine country and villages that lie in the valleys beneath them, the Dolomites are absolutely one of the most romantic places in Italy.
Consider basing yourselves near Bolzano or Cortina d’Ampezzo and road-tripping from there.
Alternatively, you could drive the Great Dolomites Road between the two cities, stopping at stunning spots like Carezza Lake along the way.
The Val di Funes and Seceda are also unmissable destinations in the Dolomites and are bound to ensure that your couples’ getaway in Italy is one you’ll never forget.
While couples who love to hike will obviously be drawn to the mountains, if you prefer sipping wine from terraces to hours-long hikes, don’t worry: the Dolomites have plenty of romance to offer you too!
The Prosecco Region
Italy is well-known for its many wine regions, but the stunning Prosecco Region gets only a fraction of the tourists of, say, the Chianti region in Tuscany.
Head north from Venice, and you’ll quickly find yourself in the land of prosecco, where grapes are grown on mountainsides and the vineyards have amazing views.
If you’re planning to visit several of the most romantic places in Italy on your trip, this is an easy one to add on.
For a (literal) brief taste, you can even visit Italy’s prosecco region as a day trip from Venice!
Lake Como
Framed by the dramatic peaks of the Alps and home to both idyllic villages and plenty of ways to enjoy the lake, Lake Como is as versatile as it is legendary.
A quick visit to Bellagio, Como, or Varenna is all it takes to understand why Lake Como has long been considered one of the most romantic places in Italy!
Known for its stunning vistas, great hiking, upscale villas and restaurants, and idyllic scenery, a quick train ride from Milan will deliver you and your partner right to the dramatic beauty of Lake Como.
Lake Garda
Want to avoid some of the heavy crowds that can populate the shores of Lake Como but still enjoy one of the most romantic lakes in Italy?
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and is situated between 3 regions!
No matter which corner you decide to base yourselves in, you’re bound to have an amazing time on the shores of Lake Garda.
Be sure not to miss the incredible castles at Sirmione and Malcesine during your trip!
Romantic Places in Italy Map
Take This Map With You! Click each highlight to pull up the name of the destination. To save this map to “Your Places” on Google Maps, click the star to the right of the title. You’ll then be able to find it under the Maps tab of your Google Maps account! To open the map in a new window, click the button on the top right of the map.
About Kate Storm
In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.